SAN DIEGO – A consistent fight to end saw the Cougar accomplish a first as an NCAA Division II school.
The Cougars made the difference making plays late in the game to post an 82-76 win against UC San Diego on Saturday afternoon. The game concluded the annual two-day, four-team UC San Diego Thanksgiving Classic.
With the win, 17th ranked Azusa Pacific concludes non-conference play with a 9-1 record. Moreover, it is the first time they beat the Tritons since joining the NCAA ranks five seasons ago.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Neither team held a double figure lead at any point in the contest as the teams traded the lead numerous time in the first two quarters. The Tritons (4-2) eventually took a 37-36 lead into the locker room.
Azusa Pacific gained a 50-45 lead after a Casey Wortley three-pointer with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. But as the game would have it, UC San Diego responded with a 12-3 scoring spurt to take their largest lead of the third quarter (57-53). The frame ended as it start with the home holding a one-point lead (60-59).
The CougarS took the lead on their second possession of the fourth quarter and continued to hold that until there was 2:19 left on the clock. A Joleen Yang three-pointer gave her team a 75-74 edge. After UC San Diego's Kayla Sato hit one-of-two free throws on their next possession, the Cougars controlled the game down the stretch.
Azusa Pacific scored the last eight points of the game as they hit a three-pointer and made five of their six shots from the charity stripe. On the defensive side of the ball, Azusa Pacific forced three turnovers and two missed shots to seal the win.
INSIDE THE BOXCORE
- Savanna Hanson tied her career high with a 30-point afternoon
- Abbigail Goodsell went for 17 points while Gabrille Kaiser (14) and Zoe March (12) rounded out the double figure scorers
- Hanson and Goodsell hit four of their seven three-point attempts
- March dished out eight assists to up her PacWest leading total to 60
- The Cougar committed a season low seven turnovers
QUOTEABLE: "We hit some big shots down the stretch and got some big defensive stops. Their last three possessionS we really stepped up and made them turn it over. It is always huge to defend them and then make them pay with made free throws," said head coach T.J. Hardeman. "We took care of the ball well. Down the stretch we really played with grit. To get a win on their floor is a really special win."
ALL TOURNAMENT: Both Hanson and Goodsell were named to the all-tournament team
TEN YEAR BEST: The 2007-08 season was the last time the Cougars won nine of their first 10 games. That squad posted 11 wins before their second loss of the season.
UP NEXT: The Cougars host Academy of Art on Thursday, Nov. 30 to begin their 20-game PacWest schedule
